Monday, November 19, 2012

Part 3, A Forted Frontier Holiday - Landlocked by Carla Olson Gade

While
harvesting, the German settlement near New Market, Virginia receive
warning of an impending attack by French and Indians war parties. They
flee to a quickly cobbled refuge, Fort Providence—for they will surely
need to rely on God’s Provision. The forted colonials long to celebrate
the holidays and await the arrival of visitors.

Each CQ
contributor to this serial will bring their characters into the fort
from throughout colonial America. Join us for A Forted Frontier Holiday
each Monday on CQ for the next two months!

Constance Ingersoll
squeezed a fistful of her quilted petticoat, thankful for the warmth it
provided from the brisk chill in the air. “I don’t know how your mother is
managing at the inn. Though I am stilling learning the art of domesticity, I at
least provide another set of helping hands.”
“Do not fret, my dear. Mother
is resourceful. Mayhap she enticed Lucy to help her for a spell.” Nathaniel
looked up from the small piece of wood he was carving into a whistle.
“But Lucy has her own family
now,” Constance said.
“I’m sure mother is managing
just fine. She always hires more girls to help at the Red Griffin in the
autumn. Harvest is past, and they have likely already helped her put up food
for the winter. By now they are busy giving the house a good scrubbing.
Thanksgiving will be upon them soon and Mother always welcomes extra guests at
the inn.” Nathaniel reached for hand and cast an assuring gaze over her pensive
face.
Constance clamped down on her
lower lip. Thanksgiving. She had never experienced this colonial American
holiday before. How she longed to experience the festivities that she had heard
so much about. To celebrate the Lord’s goodness with her new husband and
family. Now she would miss it altogether. “I should have never come, but I had
to find you before you left on this trip. I could not let my harsh words leave
such a breech between us.”
“We have gone over this
before, my dear. Though I wish you had stayed, I did not wish to leave you.
‘Twas strictly a matter of business.” Nathaniel set his knife down and drew
Constance close, his arm wrapped around her waist. “I am grateful to have you
near me now. ‘Twasn’t easy leaving my new bride.”
“I simply did not wish for you
to think that I wished you ill on your trip. It was that you had to depart so
soon after our marriage. Your mother proffered good advice, she being a young
bride once whose merchant husband frequently set sail. I don’t know how she
could bear it, especially with four sons underfoot. You and Jonathan at the
helm.” A tiny grin spilled onto her face.
“I assure you, that this is a
rare occasion, but the terms of the agreement Uncle Phineas made for us to
obtain such good lumber from the Shenandoah Valley proved to advantageous to
turn down. This will mean a great deal and save us much expense for our ship
carving shop. And Jonathan was pleased at the opportunity for trade. ”
Nathaniel inspected his small carving before his eyes drifted to hers.
Constance looked upon her
husband’s handsome face, losing herself in his loving gaze. His eyes, despite
their stormy blue-grey, held such tranquility–mocking the uncertainty of this trip.
They had sailed from the coast of Connecticut all the way to Alexandria. But
when Jonathan decided to explore further trade options up the Potomac River,
they were diverted to land. The British Colonel Lee Christy informed them of
the need to bring supplies to a fort in the Shenandoah Valley. It might have
meant losing some of his investment, but he and Nathaniel agreed that it was
well worth providing for the welfare of the forted inhabitants. “At least I
brought you some extra foods for the journey, my love, a peace offering of
sorts.”
“Aye, and they were palatable
indeed. I am still marveling at the fact.” Her brother-in-law stepped up behind
them, teasing his way into the conversation. “I am not accustomed to
stow-aways, you know. I shall forgive you this time, Constance, since it was my
ship’s beam that knocked you senseless, leaving you aboard my vessel for the
duration of our travels.”
“Had I not snuck aboard and
retreated below to regain my composure to ready myself to speak to my husband,
I would have not found myself at your mercy, Jonathan. Pardon, Captain
Ingersoll.” Constance straightened to attention, hiking her chin. “But that cat
you had on board nearly frightened me to death.”
“You can imagine my own fright
when I found you lying there on the floor,” Nathanial said. “At least Jonathan
had the good sense to offer you his own quarters for your convalescence.”
“And the continued comfort for
the newly married couple, I might add. My back might never recover. I do not
know how my crew endures sleeping in such small compartments.” Jonathan’s face
contorted as he rubbed his back with exaggerated flair.
“We shall forever be in your
debt, sir.” Constance looked up the trail, beyond the Shenandoah River.
Although they were no longer aboard the Rivier
Handelaar. She was glad to be in the company of two such stalwart men while
so far from home. What pleasure it gave her to think of Glassenbury,
Connecticut as her home now when several months before she had been spirited
away from all she knew and loved in England.
“All is well now, my love,”
Nathaniel said, yet his hand tightened around the stock of his musket.
“Is it?” Constance looked from
Nathaniel to Jonathan, and her eyes darted about their surroundings. The dense
forest concealed many mysteries. Among them, the danger lurking there. “When
will Colonel Christy return rejoin us?”
“We shall know in a moment’s
time. The Colonel will return presently along with the minister he is escorting
to Fort Providence. Word has it that the reverend’s services were required for
a burial.
Jonathan eyed Nathaniel. “The
dead woman had an arrow in her back. The man beside her husband was scalped.”
Nathaniel shook his head and
growled at Jonathan. “That information was not necessary to share, brother.”
Nathaniel tugged back on his
dark queue and exhaled. “Do not be alarmed, Constance. Fort Providence is not
much further away. We have had God’s protection thus far, and I have no doubt
that we can trust Him still.”
A freshet of tears filled Constance’s eyes, threatening to spill like the Connecticut river during a
spring flood. She did not want Nathaniel to see her like this. She had promised
herself she would not be a burden to him–she, his uninvited guest. There was
nowhere to retreat from his presence, save the wagon. Constance turned and made
her way across the Old Wagon Road to the trees sheltering their covered
conveyance, Nathaniel calling out to her as she fled.
In a flash she reached her
refuge and glanced back at Nathaniel. What was she running from? He was her
safe harbor. She leaned against a towering oak, the rough bark pressing into
her shoulder blades. She stepped away, closing her eyes as she pulled in a deep
breath.
As she opened her eyes she
caught the shadow of an arm reaching around from behind her. A rough, firm hand
clamped around her gaping mouth. Another arm grabbed her around her waist and
pulled her back against her attacker. She caught the glimpse of a tawny arm,
striped in dark paint. Oh Lord, no! An Indian.Her eyes shot up in search
of Nathaniel and Jonathan. The pair had their rifles pointed straight in her
direction. Though she trembled in her captor’s grip, she thrashed about
pursuing her escape. The savage clutched her tighter, his odor permeating her
nostrils.
“Drop your weapons, men! Fear
not.” Colonel Christy commanded from atop his gray gelding. “He is a friend.”
“Tell him to release my wife–at
once!” Nathaniel demanded.
“If he is no foe, why has he
taken her?” Jonathan snapped.
“Perhaps so you would not kill
him on sight.” Colonel Christy got down from his horse and went toward them.
“Dark Horse, you may let go of
Mrs. Ingersoll,” The Colonel ordered. “Mrs. Ingersoll, he will release you now
and you may walk toward your husband with no fear.”
“It is alright, Mrs.
Ingersoll. He is a praying Indian, and our ally.” Reverend Saks calmly walked
toward her, hand extended.
“Go.” The Indian released
Constance and gave her a gentle push. “The colonel. The preacher. Friends.”
Her eyes fixed on Nathaniel,
who remained alert, his musket braced against his shoulder. He nodded, his
stormy eyes beckoning her. She took one step, and then another, with legs that
she could no longer feel.
“Come, dear,” the minister
said as her came near.
She hastened her pace, yet the
weight of her body pulled her to the ground and shrouded her in darkness.

Constance could hardly believe that
they were at last safe inside Fort Providence. What a harrowing ordeal it had
been the day prior when Dark Horse had come to warn Colonel Christy and
Reverend Saks that Shawnee hostilities were increasing. The dead couple that
had been found along the way, proof indeed. Word had it that the couple had
abandoned their wagon fleeing for their lives. Before they left, the men
investigated the wagon and discovered their little son hiding under some
blankets, frozen with fear. Though Constance had contended with fear herself in
her first encounter with an Indian, Dark Horse had been a Godsend hastening
them to the fort before the Shawnee reached them. He remained with them until
they arrived, and was welcomed inside to sup with the Reverend and Colonel
Christy.
Nathaniel
hooked Constance’s elbow around his and ushered her by the light of dusk toward
the main building where they would make their temporary dwelling. Jonathan
would sleep in the wagon. And the little boy they had discovered was fast
asleep. Constance's heart broke for the boy who had lost both his parents in
the Indian attack. What would become of the lad? Nathaniel patted her hand,
seemingly aware of her thoughts.
As they
turned the corner, Constance gasped. Dark Horse.
He nodded
and stepped aside.
Nathaniel called to him as he passed. “Dark Horse.”
The Praying
Indian turned, acknowledging Nathaniel with his penetrating stare. “Yes, Nathaniel
Ingersoll.”

“Thank you. . .for bringing us to safety,” her husband said.
“I am sorry
to cause your wife fear.” Dark Horse’s coal black eyes were upon her.
Constance’s
heart thumped beneath her stays. But what was there to be afraid of now? She
was safe in her husband’s arms and the fort was full of armed men. Dark Horse
had proved to be a staunch ally and she had learned that he had aided the
forted colonials on several occasions. She nodded at this unlikely hero and
managed a weak smile.
“Will you
remain for Thanksgiving tomorrow? With the deer you provided and the supplies
we brought in we shall have a great feast.”
“I leave at
dawn.”
“Stay.”
Constance could not believe the word the spilt from her lips.
Dark Horse
grinned and looked at Nathaniel.
“You heard
the woman.” Nathaniel chuckled and winked at Constance. “As I told you our
forefathers did.”
“Indeed,
Dark Horse. We have much to be thankful for.” Reverend Saks sauntered by,
Prayer Book beneath his arm. “Tomorrow will be a great day of thanksgiving for
God’s provision and providence. In fact, Mr. and Mrs. Ingersoll, I would like
you to come with me to meet a young couple who will be wed on the morrow. It
seems as if I have arrived in time to help them tie the knot.”
Dark Horse
looked at the minister, confusion in his dark eyes. Reverend Saks smiled and
adjusted his wire rimmed spectacles. “A marriage, Dark Horse. Like Mr. & Mrs.
Ingersoll’s.”
The
following morn, the fort was a bustle with preparations for the great feast.
Constance, Nathaniel, and Jonathan were introduced to several of the families.
They met Rousches with their many children, and niece, Sarah; the colonel's son
William, who was sweet on the girl; the Camerons; and the Zerkles, whose
foolhardy patriarch recently lost his life to the Indians, and son Nicholas who
barely escaped with his life and hobbled around the fort on makeshift crutches.
The aromas
of corn spoon bread, sweet potatoes, pheasant on the spit, and all manner of
pies and other dishes filled the community kitchen of the great house; the deer
and pig being roasted in the yard. Young girls snapped peas, and chopped
squashes, and rolled out biscuits. Constance helped prepare a Marlborough
Pudding, an Ingersoll Thanksgiving favorite dish, to bake in the large hearth. The petite Mrs. Rousch came alongside Constance. “It is no small miracle that your troupe arrived when it
did, oui? There are many Palatinate Germans here who greatly
missed our communal day of thanksgiving when we were sent to the fort before
the harvest was in. Some of the other colonists share the tradition, and some
observe this time with a simple day of prayer and fasting. But since you and
your Indian friend have brought so many provisions, it is a perfect occasion
for a feast after our time of worship.” She rested her arm atop her rounded center, exceedingly great
with child. “With the mariage this afternoon,
we have much to celebrate. And there is talk that Allison and Doug may take the
enfant trouvé, the foundling, as their own.”

“Praise be God. I thought that I would miss Thanksgiving this year. But here I
see, under every circumstance there is a time and place for thanksgiving.”

High
in the heavens, eternal God,
Thy goodness in full glory shines;
Thy truth shall break thro’ every cloud
That vails and darkens thy designs.

For
ever firm thy justice stands,
As mountains their foundations keep;
Wise are the wonders of thy hands;
Thy judgments are a mighty deep.

Thy
providence is kind and large,
Both man and beast they bounty share;
The whole creation is they charge,
But saints are they peculiar care.

My
God! How excellent thy grace;
Whence all our hope and comfort springs!
The sons of Adam in distress
Fly to the shadows of thy wings.

From
the provisions of thy house
We shall be fed with sweet repast;
There mercy like a river flows,
And brings salvation to our taste.

Life,
like a fountain rich and free,
Springs from the presence of the Lord;
And in the light our souls shall see
The glories promis’d in thy word.

(Psalm 36, v 5-9, Perfections, Providence, and Grace of God The Psalms of David by Isaac Watts)

The End, Part 3

Look for Part 4 of A Forted Frontier Holiday on Nov. 26th.

GIVEAWAY:
One of Carla's books will be given away to a commenter for this post.
The winner will be announced at the TEA PARTY this coming Friday,
November 23rd, given for Kelly Long, Dina Sleiman, and Gina Welborn.
Come by in character for a chance to win the gift basket (chocolate
included!)

________________________________________

Carla Olson Gade grew up
in an historic Massachusetts town not far from Plymouth, Massachusetts, home of
her Pilgrim ancestors. She now lives in rural Maine with her husband and two
young adult sons. She is the author of The Shadow Catcher's Daughter and
“Carving a Future” in the Colonial Courtships novella collection. Her
colonial novel, Pattern for Romance (Quilts of Love series), and her
novella in Mistletoe Memories release in 2013. You may connect with her
at carlagade.com.

This Forted Frontier Holiday installment, "Landlocked", was based on
characters from my novella, "Carving a Future", featured in Colonial
Courtships (Barbour/2012).

Carla, your installment was fantastic! I am so loving this story, being able to get a bit of adventure reading in each week, without being overwhelmed. My heart stopped when the Indian grabbed her and when they found that child! Man oh man, what a rush! It always amazes me how authors can produce a work together in this way. You ladies are doing a great job!Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, ladies and God bless!

Wow! For a minute there, he was a "Dark Horse"--I loved the way you turned it around! Exciting and beautiful timing for Thanksgiving. Thanks, Carla; blessings and gratitude for all you ladies during this holiday season.

Oh this is lovely, Carla! I only regret that my couple will miss the wedding! LOL! This chapter is a perfect seque to Thanksgiving and I pray the Lord's blessings on this precious holiday for each and everyone at CQ!

Carla, bravo! I loved this installment and the hymn at the end. Very nicely done! It heightens my anticipation for family to gather at my own table to give thanks. Wishing a blessed and happy Thanksgiving to all.

This was such a fantastic idea of Carries! It was so much fun writing this story, a little sequel adventure of my characters from Colonial Courtships. I'm truly looking forward to seeing what happens next. Next up, Elaine Cooper!